AU grad becomes superintendent in community with a special place in her heart

Twice, Jennifer Allerding’s son, Kaden, has been diagnosed with cancer, and both times the Loudonville-Perrysville community has rallied around her family.

“I made the commitment that if I ever had the opportunity to make a difference in the community, I would,” said Allerding, who is the new superintendent for Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools. “The desire to move to L-P provides me the opportunity to give back to a community that gave so much to our family, provides me the ability to be home and to spend more time with my family.”

Allerding, who earned her master’s degree in educational administration from Ashland University, was named the district’s superintendent in March, following many years of leadership roles in Galion City Schools (past three as superintendent and six years before that in other administrative positions), Massillon City Schools (principal) and Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools (dean of students after teaching history).

Her son, whose cancer is now in remission, is an elementary student in the L-P Schools this school year. Her husband, Tim, is a Loudonville High School graduate. The family has lived in the Mohican Valley for the past decade.

“The community of Loudonville-Perrysville has a special place in my heart,” said Allerding, a Dover native.

Because several colleagues and educators spoke highly of Ashland University’s educational administration program, and it provided classes at various sites that were conveniently located near her home and work, as well as a variety of formats that worked around her schedule as an educator and coach, Allerding said she choose AU for her master’s degree.

“Based on my experience at AU, I would definitely recommend the program,” she said. “I feel the classes and professors prepared me to enter the world of educational administration with a strong foundation.

“This strong foundation, along with collaborating with a team of phenomenal educators during the past 23 years, has allowed me to grow as a leader and a teammate,” she added. “Every experience and person I have had the pleasure to learn from and work with has contributed to who I am as a leader.”

Because of the professors, teammates, students and families she has learned from, Allerding said she is well prepared for the opportunity to serve the Loudonville-Perrysville community.

The relationships she has formed with staff, parents and members of the communities in which she has worked is what Allerding said she is most proud of with her career in education.

“It takes a village to support and care for our children,” Allerding said. “Positive relationships are the foundation that has led to increased academic success, providing additional opportunities to students, and collaborative experiences with staff and family. These successes were not possible without a great team.

“Any successes I have experienced are a result of a team of exceptional and devoted educators, parents who value education and a supportive community,” she added.

Allerding said she hopes to build the same type of relationships and successes in the L-P Schools.

“I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, students and families of the LPEVSD,” she said. “I am looking forward to learning about the traditions and history, the dreams and desires for the future, and how we can together make our district the best it can be for the students we care for.”